At the Chester County commissioners' Feb. 14 public meeting, Commissioners Josh Maxwell, Marian Moskowitz, and Eric Roe proclaimed the county's recognition of American Heart Month and practiced Hands-Only CPR on three adult-size manikins, guided by members of the Chester County Department of Emergency Services. Support from the county's emergency medical services (EMS) professionals included playing the Bee Gees' 1977 classic "Stayin' Alive," used in CPR training because it is the perfect song for achieving the 100 to 120 beats per minute that is ideal for chest compressions.

According to the American Red Cross, Hands-Only CPR involves two crucial steps for helping a person suffering a cardiac arrest. First, call 9-1-1, and second, perform chest compressions at a rate of 100 to 120 beats per minute.

Several EMS agencies in Chester County provide Hands-Only CPR training. Among these are Good Fellowship Ambulance & EMS Training Institute, with information available at http://www.goodfellowship.com/training/community-education/; Uwchlan Ambulance Corps & Training Institute, with information available at https://station87.com/education; and Emergency Training Academy, with details at http://www.emergencytraining.pro.